In the garden they are beneficial insects and are very important for the balance of the small ecosystem. However, if ants suddenly appear in the greenhouse, then, based on my many years of experience, quick action is necessary. Because the insects are a sign of other problems that can further deepen them
Ants in the greenhouse: Why are the insects suddenly found on plants?
The ants are basically beneficial insects in the garden, where they eat the larvae of certain beetles and transport the seeds of plants. But the insects have no place in the greenhouse. For the ants, the greenhouse is a source of food, similar to a residential building. But it also protects you from enemies and offers a pleasant, even temperature. All good reasons why they are so happy to leave the flower bed and move.
If you see ants in the greenhouse, check the plants for aphids!
Along with the ants, pests all too often settle in the greenhouse. The ants have a symbiosis with the aphids and help the insects to infest crops. The aphids feed exclusively on the phloem sap of garden plants. You need large amounts every day to fill you up. The phloem sap is processed by the aphids and excreted in the form of honeydew. The ants feed on this honeydew. They try to increase honeydew production by helping aphids attack new plants and protecting their colonies from predators.
Conclusion:Ants on plants are often a sign of an aphid infestation. Be sure to immediately check the lower leaves and young shoots for aphids. Because the more ants there are, the more aphids attack your vegetables and fruits. The more aphids there are on a plant, the less fruit it bears and, if the infestation is severe, it can even die.
Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that help against ants in the greenhouse. However, you must use them consistently to achieve the desired effect. There are also remedies that help outdoors, but unfortunately have no effect in the greenhouse. These are, for example:
- Watering the ant nest every day - helps in the garden - only has a limited effect in the greenhouse. The goal of the daily “showers” of the ant nest is to convince the insects that they have chosen an unfavorable location. Ants prefer sunny and dry places in the garden. Outdoors they will move and often even a few meters are enough to protect the flowers. In the greenhouse, however, the insects often move to a neighboring plant, which doesn't help either.
- Baking soda and coffee powder are poisonous to ants, so it is not recommended to use them.
- Traps with beer and honey also mean a painful end for the ant workers, but do not solve the problem with the colony.
Ants in the greenhouse: Where can you relocate the insects?
The only way to get rid of ants in the greenhouse is to relocate them. Take an old pot, fill it with wool and straw, and place it with the opening facing down next to the ant nest. Wait about one to two weeks and dig about 10 cm below the pot. Take the new nest with you and relocate the ants.
Where can you relocate the ants? Choose a dry, sunny place in the garden or in the nearby forest, field or park and place the ant nest there. The minimum distance to your kitchen garden and greenhouse should be 40 meters, otherwise the insects can find their way back.
Fight aphids to drive away the ants
In order to prevent another ant colony from re-establishing, you should definitely fight the aphids. Fortunately, this is not a complicated task. We have already explained to you in detail in various articles how this can be done quickly and using natural means.
Here you gouseful tips on how you can fight aphids with rapeseed oil.
You can tooUse milk against aphids.
Important preventative measures against aphids include a planting distance of at least 30 cm, high humidity (the air is dry, especially in heated greenhouses), and strengthening the plants with fertilizer.
Prevent new infestations with natural remedies
To prevent ants from re-establishing themselves in the greenhouse, you can plant certain scented plants at the entrance or use scented oils. Lavender, garlic, thyme, grated lemon peel, clove, peppermint oil, citronella oil (lemongrass oil) help and keep the ants away.
The ants are beneficial insects in the garden, but they can cause damage in a small greenhouse. To avoid this, quick action is required. You don't have to kill the ants because the insects play an important role in the ecosystem. Relocating, fighting aphids and preventing an infestation with scented oils are enough to get rid of the ants permanently.
